President Donald Trump has decided that one of the most thoroughly documented global conflicts in human history didn’t quite end when every historian, textbook, and surviving veteran says it did.
Trump has announced — his social media platform — that he wants to rename Veterans Day as “Victory Day” to honor American soldiers from World War I. That’s right: Veterans Day, which was renamed from Armistice Day in 1954 to honor all military veterans, is apparently not good enough anymore. Instead, we’re scrapping that in favor of celebrating “Victory” in World War I, a war that ended in such a mess that it practically set the stage for World War II to happen in the first place. I guess “Victory” just has a better ring to it, even if it wildly oversimplifies the geopolitics of 1918.
Trump also wants to rename VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day) on May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II.” Why? Because, in his words, America “did more than any other country, by far” to win the war. World War II didn’t actually end on May 8, 1945 — not for the United States, anyway. While that date marks the surrender of Nazi in Europe, the war raged on in the Pacific theater for another three months, culminating in Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945.
It’s not like Trump has Yes, airports. In the 18th century.
Trump’s decision to emphasize May 8 over August 15 as the end of World War II feels suspiciously similar to how Russia celebrates its own Victory Day on May 9. In Russia, this day commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi , and it’s a cornerstone of national pride. So why is Trump, the self-proclaimed America First guy, suddenly aligning with Russian traditions? Is it a coincidence? Or just another example of his inexplicable iration for Vladimir Putin? Either way, it raises eyebrows.
What remains unclear is precisely how Trump plans to implement these name changes. No executive order has been signed, and renaming national observances typically requires legislative action rather than presidential fiat. The original Armistice Day was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I and honor “the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” Congress later changed it to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all American veterans, a change that reflected the nation’s evolving understanding of service and sacrifice. Trump’s announcement treats these historical designations as mere branding opportunities.
Published: May 2, 2025 11:03 am